Radiation damage in InP single crystals and solar cells

Journal Article · Wed Mar 14 23:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.333396· OSTI ID:5266401

Yamaguchi, M; Uemura, C; Yamamoto, A

This paper shows that InP solar cell is more radiation resistant than Si and GaAs solar cells. /sup 60/Co ..gamma..-ray irradiation damage in InP solar cells was examined. Changes in minority carrier diffusion length and carrier concentration in irradiated InP single crystals were also investigated by electron beam induced current and capacitance-voltage methods for solar cells. A high carrier concentration p-InP substrate has lower concentration damage. Thus, an InP solar cell with a higher carrier concentration substrate has superior radiation resistance. Experimental results for radiation damage in InP solar cells were in satisfactory agreement with theoretical values, calculated from changes in minority carrier diffusion length and carrier concentration due to irradiation. Numerical analysis suggests that an InP solar cell with a higher carrier concentration substrate and a shallower junction should be relatively more radiation resistant. Annealing behavior for radiation damage in InP was also examined.

• Research Organization: Ibaraki Electrical Communication Laboratory, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation, Tokai, Ibaraki-ken 319-11, Japan
• OSTI ID: 5266401
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 55:6; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360605 -- Materials-- Radiation Effects
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARRIER DENSITY
COBALT 60
COBALT ISOTOPES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DAMAGE
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUIPMENT
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
GAMMA RADIATION
INDIUM PHOSPHIDE SOLAR CELLS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES